Precipitate

I lay it on thick-

a scarf,

a hat,

a coat,

a pair of woolen mittens;

minus the scratch

minus the constraint

they are sound, permitting me to take up space

we swat at precipitation

[a clean slate requires upkeep]

we wipe woolen hairs from our runny noses

dampened and sticky from heated breath

still, our cheeks are rosey

and our bellies full

we crack

smiles through the cold air

which stings, then burns

i have chosen my battles-

though all battles are meant to be fought,

even the undulating and insurmountable

i fight weather.

though it may swap artillery

it does not hide

under blankets of sweat, or hail

as caves

and people

sometimes do.

"Precipitate" was first published on www.poetrysuperhighway.com, March 2007